NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2233, 25 April 1881, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[per press association.] AUCKLAND, April 23. The Iron Horse. Messro Taylor and Danahor hare made a junction between their Wait.akerie contract and the Riverhead line. The railway will probably bo opened through for trailio in three months from Helenaville to Auckland. A Doz. Oxford A.B’s. Twelve seamen of the ship Oxford, from London, were charged with broaching cargo to the extent of £IOO. One man was discharged, and the reat were remanded for lenience. The Phasian Bird.

But few pheasants have been seen this season. Their scarcity is attributed to extensive poaching. TIMARU, April 24. Death.

A young man named Nathan, a olork, was found dead in bed this morning. A bottle of chloroform was near him.

Making Hay while Fire Burns-

At the enquiry held at Temuka yesterday afternoon, into the burning of the stacks of Mr B, Hornbrook, the jury returned a verdict that there was no evidence to prove the origin, but the fact of the stacks being considerably over insured was very suspicions.

[PROM THE OWN CORRESPONDENT OP THE “PRESS.”]

WELLINGTON, April 24. Finance.

I am indebted to the secretary for Customs for the complete returns of the Customs revenue just made up. The amount collected in the whole colony during the financial year ended March 3lat was £1,309,848, which is £126,307 more than last year, and £59,843 above the Treasurer’s estimate. Several of the last received returns from small ports were better than were calculated on, and increased the total by £2OOO above what it was supposed to be two days ago. Land and Bailway. The following telegram from Christchurch was published here to-day:—“The Government has determined to introduce a Bill next session embodying the principle of conceding land to the promoters of railway construction in the manner proposed to deal with the West Coast (South Island) railway.” This is_ not accurate. Nothing at all is yet determined. For some time past Ministers are well known to have been individually the desirableness of introducing a measure aiding the construction of railways by private companies in the way indicated—that is, by grants of land, but the matter has not yet come formally before the Cabinet, and will not be decided until the full Cabinet assembles in Wellington next month to discuss the measures proposed to be brought down in the ensuing session. All that can correctly bo said is that the whole subject is under most careful consideration, and that several Ministers at any rate are known to bo warming favorably to the idea. The scheme would probably apply in the first instonoe only to the West Coast railways of both islands, and to the Otago Central, but no doubt its application would bo extended if adequate justification wore clearly shown. All tnis, however, is entirely matter for future arrangement, and nothing is settled as yet.

Johnny in CloverThe Premier left this afternoon for Fielding with the Duke of Manchester. Mr Hall will return on Tuesday or Wednesday. The Duke, after inspecting the Manchester settlement, will go to the Constabulary Camp and along the now military road to New Plymouth, thence by steamer to Auckland, whence he will proceed to Sydney by tho Sun Francisco mail steamer to join the Orient boat there.

“Whether ’tis better”-and on Sunday.

The Governor goes by the Hinemoa to Auckland on Sunday to meet Lady Gordon. Native Complacence-

The latest Native news is that the Maoris are using the new constabulary road to cart to New Plymouth market the wheat grown by them on the side of the road iu the paddocks about which there was so much dispute relative to fencing, &c. This is, of course, a very good sign.